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About Us

The HSE Science and Research Centre is the most comprehensive facility in the world dedicated to the investigation and research of health and safety science.

It's a true national asset and is the main home of HSE's Science Division - 380 scientists, engineers, occupational health and hygiene specialists and support professionals working together to provide the research and evidence that HSE requires to underpin its regulatory activities, protect people and places and make Great Britain one of the safest places in the world to work and do business.

Not only does the science and research we perform support HSE in its role as an evidence-based, world-class regulator, our combination of scientific expertise, real-world experience and knowledge of the regulatory landscape also helps wider government and industry to solve the health, safety and wellbeing challenges of their everyday work, as well as in times of crisis.

It also makes us unrivalled in our ability to assist both public and private sector organisations to research and safely enable the products, processes and innovative technologies of the future.

 


Our Mission and Vision

HSE is dedicated to protecting people and places, helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives - quite simply, it's the reason we exist.

To achieve this valuable mission, we're guided by the vision of:

  • Bringing people and organisations together to work as one
  • Keeping pace with future change and innovation
  • Valuing our people.

We're building a vibrant science community with a strong purpose for public good that will be at the forefront of innovation across health, safety and wellbeing.

The HSE Science and Research Centre will be the place where the most creative and innovative scientists and engineers from government, industry and academia can come together to address some of the biggest challenges on the national agenda.

From preventing future pandemics, safely enabling net zero energy technologies or using big data to predict health and safety outcomes across the globe, the HSE Science and Research Centre offers a dynamic environment for applied research, development and experimentation with the space for collaboration with endless possibilities and potential.


Our Site

The Centre's 550-acre site in Buxton, Derbyshire, accommodates an impressive inventory of laboratory and large-scale testing facilities - many unique to us.

But these facilities would be nothing without the skills and know-how of our people. Their scientific and engineering expertise, combined with a pragmatic approach, delivers robust evidence and practical solutions for our clients.

HSE Science and Research Centre
HSE Science and Research CentreHSE Science and Research Centre

Our Heritage

The HSE Science and Research Centre has roots stretching back over 100 years. In the early years safety research in coal mining was our sole business. Since then we have evolved considerably into a truly modern organisation that is not only internationally acclaimed for its depth and quality of scientific expertise, but also for the breath of disciplines it covers.

Our long history is extremely valuable - having investigated incidents in virtually every workplace imaginable, we can draw upon extensive cross-sector experience and apply it to solve the challenges of an ever-changing health and safety landscape, as well as anticipate future issues.


Our Professional Networks

Effective collaboration is crucial to our success. We use networks and strategic partnerships, including those with industry, academia, international research institutes and co-regulators, to pool resources, share knowledge and, as a result, be more effective in our ability to improve health and safety outcomes for all. NEW

But these facilities would be nothing without the skills and know-how of our people. Their scientific and engineering expertise, combined with a pragmatic approach, delivers robust evidence and practical solutions for our clients.

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